MGMT vs. PEXL

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MGMT (Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF) and PEXL (Pacer US Export Leaders ETF) are both Mid Cap Blend Equities funds. MGMT is actively managed, while PEXL is passively managed. Over the past 5 years, MGMT returned 7.20%/yr vs 13.04%/yr for PEXL. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MGMT charges 1.10%/yr vs 0.60%/yr for PEXL.

Performance

MGMT vs. PEXL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF (MGMT) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MGMT achieves a 11.12% return, which is significantly lower than PEXL's 21.98% return.

MGMT

• 1D: 1.21%
• 1M: 1.18%
• YTD: 11.12%
• 6M: 10.84%
• 1Y: 28.05%
• 3Y*: 14.69%
• 5Y*: 7.20%
• 10Y*: —

PEXL

• 1D: -0.92%
• 1M: 9.34%
• YTD: 21.98%
• 6M: 23.37%
• 1Y: 52.16%
• 3Y*: 22.37%
• 5Y*: 13.04%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MGMT vs. PEXL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020
MGMT Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF	11.12%	6.96%	12.95%	17.87%	-14.54%	40.77%	5.36%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	21.98%	27.33%	5.79%	24.40%	-20.41%	30.12%	4.16%

Correlation

The correlation between MGMT and PEXL is 0.73, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.73
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.77
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.82
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 4, 2020	0.81

The correlation between MGMT and PEXL has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.73 to 0.82 - a consistent structural relationship.

MGMT vs. PEXL - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	MGMT	PEXL
Industrials	23.1%	6.4%
Energy	15.7%	1.1%
Technology	13.6%	55.1%
Basic Materials	13.4%	4.2%
Financial Services	11.1%	-
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	4.3%
Healthcare	6.2%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	3.5%	6.3%
Communication Services	3.5%	15.1%
Real Estate	1.8%	-
Utilities	-	-

Return for Risk

MGMT vs. PEXL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MGMT

MGMT Risk / Return Rank: 46
MGMT Sharpe Ratio Rank: 47
MGMT Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
MGMT Omega Ratio Rank: 43
MGMT Calmar Ratio Rank: 47
MGMT Martin Ratio Rank: 43

PEXL

PEXL Risk / Return Rank: 86
PEXL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
PEXL Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
PEXL Omega Ratio Rank: 82
PEXL Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PEXL Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MGMT vs. PEXL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF (MGMT) and Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MGMT	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.61	2.95	-1.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.37	3.88	-1.51
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.49	-0.21
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.29	4.59	-2.30
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.94	19.74	-12.80
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MGMT vs. PEXL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MGMT Sharpe Ratio is 1.61, which is lower than the PEXL Sharpe Ratio of 2.95. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MGMT and PEXL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MGMT	PEXL	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.61	2.95	-1.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.37	0.60	-0.23
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.69	0.65	+0.04

Drawdowns

MGMT vs. PEXL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MGMT drawdown since its inception was -24.95%, smaller than the maximum PEXL drawdown of -36.76%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MGMT and PEXL.

Drawdown Indicators

	MGMT	PEXL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-24.95%	-36.76%	+11.81%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.32%	-11.43%	-0.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-23.76%	-24.72%	+0.96%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.95%	-30.44%	+5.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.54%	-0.92%	-0.62%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.74%	-6.72%	-0.02%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.05%	2.65%	+1.40%

Volatility

MGMT vs. PEXL - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF (MGMT) is 4.17%, while Pacer US Export Leaders ETF (PEXL) has a volatility of 5.31%. This indicates that MGMT experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PEXL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MGMT	PEXL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.17%	5.31%	-1.14%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	11.96%	13.14%	-1.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	17.50%	17.79%	-0.29%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.54%	21.86%	-2.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.57%	24.04%	-4.47%

MGMT vs. PEXL - Expense Ratio Comparison

MGMT has a 1.10% expense ratio, which is higher than PEXL's 0.60% expense ratio.

Dividends

MGMT vs. PEXL - Dividend Comparison

MGMT's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.31%, less than PEXL's 0.37% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
MGMT Ballast Small/Mid Cap ETF	0.31%	0.34%	0.51%	1.16%	0.90%	0.26%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
PEXL Pacer US Export Leaders ETF	0.37%	0.44%	0.48%	0.48%	0.60%	0.22%	0.48%	0.49%	0.29%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MGMT and PEXL in my portfolio?

MGMT and PEXL have a correlation of 0.73, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MGMT or PEXL?

PEXL has higher volatility (5.31%) compared to MGMT (4.17%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MGMT dropped -24.95% vs PEXL's -36.76%.

Which ETF is better, MGMT or PEXL?

On 5-year performance, PEXL leads with 13.04% vs 7.20% for MGMT. On fees, PEXL is cheaper at 0.60% per year. On volatility, MGMT has been the lower-risk option at 4.17%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, MGMT or PEXL?

Over the 5-year period, PEXL has performed better with a 13.04% return vs 7.20%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, MGMT or PEXL?

PEXL is cheaper with a 0.60% expense ratio, compared with 1.10% for MGMT.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, MGMT or PEXL?

PEXL has the higher dividend yield at 0.37%, compared with 0.31% for MGMT.

What is the main difference between MGMT and PEXL?

They also come from different issuers: Inverdale Capital Management LLC and Pacer. Their fees differ too: 1.10% for MGMT and 0.60% for PEXL.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PEXL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.95 vs 1.61), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.